Restaurants / guide (9)

Guacamole originated centuries ago during the Aztec Empire, when people first called this creation ahuacamolli, named for the Nahuatl words ahuacatl (avocado) and mulli (sauce). The first written record of this glorious avocado dip, which is traditionally crafted in a molcajete, was in 1518 in Europe. Incredibly, the core recipe has stayed pretty similar for the past 500 years, with tomatoes, onions, chiles and cilantro often still forming the backbone, though now you may find flourishes like lobster, bacon and fruit. Learn about 11 of our favorite places to enjoy guacamole in L.A. County.

Whether you’re a starving student or have some more resources to spare on your meals, the South L.A. neighborhoods surrounding the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Banc of California Stadium offer some interesting dining options. Learn about some of our favorite area restaurants, most of which are within walking distance of the USC campus and Exposition Park.

By now, it should be clear that Koreatown features the most compelling collection of Korean restaurants outside of the motherland. However, people may not know that restaurateurs carrying flags for other cuisines are flocking to the neighborhood. Learn about some of the best non-Korean dining options in Koreatown.

Generations of immigrants from around the world have come to Los Angeles from overseas and throughout the Americas to pursue their dreams. L.A. is truly a global metropolis because of its rich diversity. Locals and visitors alike can experience a virtual United Nations of cuisines without ever leaving the City of Angels. Leave your passport at home and start your culinary journey around the world in 21 Los Angeles dishes.

The burrito, a beloved Mexican food item featuring a flour tortilla and a range of fillings, has origins in northern Mexico, with most people pointing toward the border town of Ciudad Juárez. Now, some of the most famous burritos are rooted in California. For instance, Mission burritos in San Francisco can be massive, and in San Diego the California burrito is known to contain French fries. In Los Angeles, we’re not bound by any particular traditions, so you’ll find a far larger variety, including many Asian fillings. L.A.’s most famous burrito may belong to Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac Café in Boyle Heights, which holds the distinction of serving burritos the size of small schnauzers. However, you’ll probably enjoy these 10 standout burritos even more.

For many Mexican and Central American families, a feast of tamales on Christmas Eve is as essential as dining on turkey for Thanksgiving. It’s not just about eating the tamales, but also about the bonding experience, since the process of making tamales is long and laborious. Family members take turns applying the seasoned nixtamalized maize paste - historically credited as one of civilization’s earliest forms of processing a food - on dozens of softened corn husks or banana leaves. Fortunately for Angelenos, there’s a plethora of restaurants that specialize in making tamales almost as good as mamá's for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. If there’s one thing you should count on unwrapping for Christmas in L.A., it’s a tamal.

Whether it’s the holidays, a family reunion or a gathering of friends, there are occasions that call for more than a quiet corner table. Fortunately, there are restaurants throughout Los Angeles that offer options for shared plates and family-style menus from around the world. Read on for some of the best restaurants in L.A. to dine out with friends and family.

The taco is the perfect food, often made with a nutritious whole grain corn tortilla base and an incredible range of regional ingredients and unique textures. You can eat tacos regularly and never get bored of them. There’s no better city in the United States to enjoy tacos than Los Angeles - the taco motherland is just two and a half hours away, and L.A. has the second-largest population of Mexicans after Mexico City. The taco is finally getting the respect that it deserves, and is being taken as seriously as a good pasta. Read our guide to some of the best tacos in L.A., and discover a little bit of this Mexican staple food’s vast nuances. ¡Provecho!

Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya supposedly invented nachos at the Victory Club, a Piedras Negras restaurant located just across from the Texas border. What’s now a widespread classic initially featured fried tortilla chips topped with melted cheese and jalapeños. In L.A., they’re rarely so restrained, and while nachos typically appear at Mexican restaurants, that's not always the case. Here are some of our favorite Los Angeles nachos.